Charlie Maddox remembered coming to the library as a small child in the early 1950s, when the library was in a small downtown building. In the days before desegregation, it was one of the few places where it didn’t matter what color you were, said Maddox. “Robinson Crusoe” was one of his favorites, he said.

Real estate broker Carolyn Abney shared library memories from an Atlanta childhood — of times she’d be hiding under a bush in the back yard, reading. There were only three houses on her street, and no other children, recalled Abney, an only child.

“Books have always been a huge part of my life,” she said. When she and her husband moved to Athens after years living in Europe, the first three things she did were to register to vote, get a driver’s license and get a library card, she said.

For Athens’ Griffeth family, the library and its books are a shared experience.

The whole family came in for a taped interview Saturday — mom Suzanne, Dad Phillip and children Carson, 9, Will, 6, and Carolyn, 3.

“I remember being so excited when I could move my kite or star,” she said.

Carson and Will had similar memories.

“My favorite memory is getting to check out lots of books,” Will said.

Shirley Chambliss grew up in Athens, then returned recently after decades away.

“One thing I’ve learned about librarians — they’re just about the kindest people you’ll ever know,” she said.

And the library is still a magical place, Chambliss said

“The possibilities in a library are more creative than you think,” she said. “It is so much a part of the future, and the past, and now.”

The recording team will go to the Athens Area Council on Aging next week for interviews, and has two more sessions scheduled for the library at 2025 Baxter Street, on Feb. 20 and Feb. 21, both days from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Anyone interested in sharing memories can contact Michaels at emichaels@athenslibrary.org or at 706-613-3650, extension 343. But walk-ins are also welcome during the sessions, Darnell said.